Trapped in Beast World: My Husbands Are All Animals! Novel

---- Chapter 72 A Show of Respect Ardenia felt a sudden wave of embarrassment at Tobias' words. She managed, "Honestly, you don't need to carry me. I've already activated that ability you mentioned before." "So, you don't want me to hold you?" Tobias' green eyes flickered with a faint disappointment. The loss in his expression was unmistakable. "No! It's just... kind of awkward because..." Ardenia had no idea how she could possibly say that out loud. Tobias let out a low chuckle. "Awkward? About what? That you were with Halden last night, but now I'm the one carrying you?" Ugh!

This infuriating male! Does he really have to spell everything out like that? | have pride too. Can't he see I'm trying not to humiliate myself? "You... you..." Ardenia stammered, suddenly at a loss for words. ---- Tobias, however, looked utterly pleased. He grinned, drawing her slightly closer, the delight on his face impossible to hide. "My little female, are you shy? | wonder what that means for later." By "later," he clearly meant the time they would be alone together. Before Ardenia could respond, Tobias was already sprinting, carrying her toward the tribe's central square.

By now, the Wolf Tribe's central square was packed with therians. Everyone had heard about Julia's actions. With the Fierce Lion Tribe showing up, nobody expected anything good to come of it. Especially Stephan-he radiated menace, his eyes wide with rage, scanning the crowd. One glance made it clear he was a vicious therian. To make matters worse, he had injured their chief and taken the prey meant for a trade deal. ---- The thought made every therian tighten their grip on their weapons. Tobias set Ardenia down, and she smoothed her skirt, relieved it hadn't wrinkled too badly.

As the Wolf Tribe members saw her, they immediately made their way. Vesper and Calder were among them, frozen the moment their eyes landed on Ardenia. That outfit on their little female had been stunning-so this was what Nailin had spent two days preparing. It was dazzling, absolutely blinding. They knew they would have to give her gifts as well-but definitely not clothes again; that would be dull. Ardenia's arrival captivated the crowd. Last night, they had only noticed she had slimmed down, and her face looked healthier. Tonight, she even seemed fairer.

And the way she walked-calm, deliberate-the presence she radiated was impossible to ignore. ---- Behind her, the Level 8 serpent exuded a powerful aura. The square fell into a hush. All eyes were locked on Ardenia-and on Tobias, trailing a few steps behind. At the moment, Tobias didn't resemble a mate at all; he looked more like a bodyguard, keeping watch as he followed her. "You're here. Where are my people?" Ardenia asked. Vesper immediately rushed forward with a stone stool.

Calder, carrying a pelt, wiped it meticulously, only stepping aside when he was certain it was clean, and invited Ardenia to sit. He and Vesper positioned themselves on her left and right. Crossing her long legs, Ardenia exuded an imposing aura. The Wolf Tribe therians couldn't help but steal glances. The guidance of the Beast God had truly transformed her-no one would have believed her mates had tried to break their bond with her just a month ago. In that moment, she seemed to radiate, almost glowing in their eyes.

---- She had awakened a new ability, slimmed down, and lightened her appearance. Her face remained plain, but compared to before, she was undeniably attractive. And most importantly, her mates didn't mind-proof that Ardenia knew how to command them. At her words, Stephan dropped to one knee, bowing deeply, radiating respect. "Honored Lady, I've returned your people." Gasps rippled through the crowd. What is happening? Stephan, chief of the Fierce Lion Tribe, was kneeling before Ardenia, saluting her with full formality-and calling her Honored Lady.

That title was usually reserved for leaders of major tribes. "Why is Stephan addressing Ardenia like that?" "The chief of the Fierce Lion Tribe giving such a bow? And it doesn't seem forced." "| suddenly feel like I'm catching some of her aura-what's ---- going on?" Hearing the whispers, Tobias couldn't hide a smug smile. These therians hadn't seen Ardenia's wood power light up the night. Forget Stephan-her little female had the potential to go far. Once Stephan finished, his men brought forward the therians they had taken from the Wolf Tribe earlier.

"Honored Lady, your people have been returned safely. We treated their wounds with witch herbs, and these are the prey our tribe promised as tribute to the Wolf Tribe." The square erupted. They hadn't misheard. The Fierce Lion Tribe was offering tribute to the Wolf Tribe-a mark of honor usually reserved for the most powerful city- state tribes. And now, the Wolf Tribe was the one receiving it.